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NewSchool of Architecture & Design (NewSchool) announced that a group of its students, under the direction of professor Chuck Crawford, has designed and built a sukkah – a temporary dwelling to commemorate Sukkot, the seven-day Jewish harvest festival held in October. Student architects built the sukkah on Friday, Sept. 29 at Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus, located at 8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123.

NewSchool’s female-led team of 14 students come from diverse backgrounds and were all very dedicated to building the sukkah. Classes are currently out of session, and the students volunteered their time during break to complete the project. The community involvement, cultural learning and team building is crucial to their real world education and future careers.

With three walls and an open door, the sukkah represents inclusivity, hospitality and the temporary nature of life. For the project, NewSchool students conformed to specifications that respect Jewish traditions while also integrating design approaches that reflect NewSchool’s own emphasis on sustainability.

“NewSchool’s diversity is quite remarkable, as reflected in this year’s team,” said Crawford. “The Sukkah Project is a unique one that I look forward to every year. It reflects and aligns with our school values by encouraging team work and the importance of being a part of the community.”

Jewish Family Service is a trusted community resource for individuals and families of all faiths and backgrounds working to build better lives. The nonprofit approached NewSchool about building a sukkah that could be re-constructed on an annual basis and enjoyed by JFS’s wide variety of clientele, including low-income families and individuals, seniors, immigrants and refugees, teen volunteer leaders, and many more.

“With the sukkah, the NewSchool students have built something tangible, and from Jewish Family Service’s perspective, the students are also helping us build community – and that is something to celebrate,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. “We look forward to sharing this sukkah with our clients, staff, volunteers and more for years to come. To improve the community, it takes a community.”

For more information on NewSchool of Architecture and Design, visit newschoolarch.edu. For more information about Jewish Family Service of San Diego, visit jfssd.org.

About NewSchool of Architecture & Design

Located in San Diego’s design district, NewSchool of Architecture & Design prepares students for career success in design fields with an emphasis on human-centered design, including interdisciplinary and global design skills, industry collaborations and real-world projects. Programs include architecture, construction management, product design, media design, and interior architecture & design. Best College Reviews.org ranked NewSchool #2 for Best Online Masters in Construction Management Degree Programs for 2017-2018. NewSchool is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. NewSchool offers Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). One of more than 70 institutions in 25 countries that comprise the Laureate International Universities network, New School prepares students to successfully work in global and diverse organizations. For more information, visit www.newschoolarch.edu.

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Rachael Lighty at (619) 684-8775 or [email protected]